Which are the best known grape varieties in Spain?

One of the most decisive factors when it comes to determining the characteristics and personality of a wine is the selection of the grape variety or varieties to be used in the production process. Each type of grape provides the raw material from which the wine is produced, and the peculiarities of each variety will imprint different nuances on the wine.

Of the approximately 10,000 grape varieties that exist in the worldonly some of them are used in wine production. Today, we will stop to make a a brief overview of some of the most widely cultivated varieties in our country and with which the main Spanish wines are made. Red, white, native or imported, they all contribute something to the configuration of our wide range of wines. Wine Culture.

For this reason, we are going to see what are the best known grape varieties in Spain? and their main characteristics.

Red varieties

• Alicante or Garnacha Tintorera

It is an autochthonous grape variety from Aragon and is one of the most widely cultivated in the world. most widely cultivated grapes in the world. One of its most distinguishing characteristics is its red-coloured flesh. It produces wines with fruity aromas and low acidity that age well.

• Bobal

This grape originates from the Spanish Levante region. It is used for the production of red wines and, mainly, rosés. It is a grape suitable for producing fruity young wines and for blending with other varieties.

• Cabernet Franc

Originally from the Bordeaux region in France, this grape produces fruity and smooth wines, with high acidity and a marked tannic character. It is mainly used in Catalonia and, to a lesser extent, in Castile and Galicia.

• Cabernet Sauvignon

It is one of the most widespread grape varieties in the world thanks to its great capacity for climatic adaptation.. We can find it in the elaboration of most Bordeaux wines, and in Spain, its use in the regions of Ribera del Duero, Catalonia and La Mancha stands out. It produces intense wines, with a marked fruity flavour and high tannin content.

The ageing in wood makes the wines made from this variety develop a very intense aroma, which makes it a very suitable grape for this purpose. a wide range of aromasThis is why it is a very suitable grape for this purpose.

• Grenache

Garnacha is an autochthonous variety and, at the same time, the most cultivated type of grape in our country.. It produces full-bodied wines with a fruity character and high alcohol content. It is perfect for producing rosés, young wines and also for ageing blended with other varieties.

Our most representative wine made from 100% Garnacha grape variety is the one "Grenache Plots". of our Collection Vivanco. A fresh, sweet wine with a long, delicate finish.

• Graciano

Grown mainly in La Rioja and Navarrathis variety produces wines with a lively colour. Its degree of acidity and the presence of tannins make it a very suitable grape for producing wines with crianza in which it displays all its aromatic power.

In the Collection Vivanco you can also find a wine of 100% Graciano variety, it is our "Parcelas de Graciano". "Parcelas de Graciano".

• Maturana

It is a variety of A grape native to La Rioja that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. It is characterised by producing musts with low acidity and high sugar content. At Vivanco we use it to produce our Collection Vivanco "Parcelas de Maturana Tinta".

• Mazuelo or Cariñena

The wines produced from this variety are very suitable for the crianza, as they present a high tannin content and a notable acidity and intense colour. It is mainly used in La Rioja, Catalonia and Aragon.

At Vivanco this grape is used to make our wine. Collection Vivanco "Parcelas de Mazuelo". Ideal for with stews and grilled meats, this wine stands out for its ripe black its aromas of ripe black fruit.

• Mencía

Mainly used in the areas of León and Galicia, it produces structured, fruity and aromatic wines. It is largely used to make rosé and young red wines.

• Merlot

It comes from Bordeaux, is one of the most widespread varieties in the world.. It is used in the production of bright red wines, and its tannin concentration and acidity are low. Floral in character, its aroma is enhanced by ageing, where it can develop different nuances: wild fruits, tobacco, truffle, etc.

• Monastrell

This variety is characterised by its high alcohol content and intense colour. Typical of the Levante region, this grape benefits from the crianza to enhance its aromas and sweet flavour.

•  Pinot Noir

It is a typical variety of the Burgundy region and produces fruity and sweet wines. It is very often used in the production of champagne. In Spain, it is mainly used for the production of cavas in Catalonia, as the heat does not benefit the development of this grape in other areas of the country.

• Prieto Picudo

Very present in the production of wines from the Bierzo D.O., this variety originates from León and Zamora. It is used to produce full-bodied, aromatic wines with a soft colour. It is very suitable for the production of sparkling wines.

• Syrah

Syrah is a variety from France, more specifically from the Rhône region.more specifically from the Rhône region. It is a type of grape widely cultivated all over the world and the characteristics of the wines made from it vary greatly depending on the climate. Generally, it produces unctuous, full-bodied wines with a high concentration of tannins. The aromas are usually reminiscent of ripe red and black fruits and violets.

• Tempranillo

Native to La Rioja, it can also be found in La Mancha, Catalonia and Castile. It is a highly valued grape among the red varieties in our country due to its high quality.. Its must is balanced and aromatic. The wines made from this grape are particularly suitable for the crianza, after which they develop aromas of spices and toasted nuances.

To taste the full essence of the Tempranillo grape in a wine, we recommend you our Vivanco Crianzamade from 100% Tempranillo grapes. Bright cherry colour, our Crianza is the perfect wine to pair with all kinds of dishes.It goes well with: rice dishes, meat, pasta, pulses...

White varieties

• Albariño

It is a grape originally from Galiciawidely used in the production of white wines in the Rías Baixas DO. It produces refreshing wines with high alcohol content and notable acidity.

• Airén

Airén, native to La Mancha, is the most widely grown white grape variety in Spain. and one of the most cultivated grape varieties in the world. This variety produces wines with pale colours and aromas of moderate intensity. The wines produced with this grape, considered neutral, are very suitable for blending with other varieties.

• Chardonnay

Originally from Burgundy, it is one of the most widespread grapes in the world thanks to its magnificent capacity to adapt to different climates. It is widely used in the production of champagnes and cavas, although it is also suitable for producing white wines with a certain crianza and young wines.

• Gewürztraminer

Originating from Germany and the Alsace region of FranceIn Spain, this grape is grown mainly in Catalonia and Huesca. It is characterised by its high sugar content and produces semi-dry white wines with floral aromas.

• Godello

This grape is mainly used in the areas of Galicia and León for the production of white wines. It is a variety that accepts well the crianza and produces wines with remarkable acidity and alcohol content.

• Macabeo or Viura

It is the most widely used white grape in La Rioja.. It can be used to make white wines with crianza and is also used in the production of cavas. Its aromas are reminiscent of green fruits.

• Malvasia or Subirat

Quite widespread in Spain, this variety produces white wines with toasted colours, although it is also used in the production of sweet and fortified wines. This variety gives its name to Malvasía wines.

• Muscatel

Widely used as a table grape in our country, this variety is also used to make Muscatel wines, sweet wines with a moderate aroma.

• Palomino or Listán

It is the variety used in the elaboration of the fortified wines of Jerez: amontillados, finos, olorosos, manzanilla, etc. For this, the high sugar content of this grape is essential.

• Pedro Ximénez

It is one of the most suitable grapes for the production of sweet wines. Most of the wines of the D. O. Montilla-Moriles are produced with this grape. For the production of these wines, sun-dried grapes are used and the wines are aged in soleras, so the concentration of sugars is very high and the flavour and aromas are reminiscent of sultanas.

• Parellada

Mostly used in Catalonia, it is a variety that produces young, aromatic and fresh whites. late ripening variety. It produces young, aromatic and fresh whites. It is also used to make cavas.

• Riesling

It comes from the Alsace region in France and the Rhine region in Germany, and like Gewürztraminer, it is grown mainly in Huesca and Catalonia. This grape is used to produce dry, fruity wines with a marked floral character.

• Sauvignon

This variety is native to the Bordeaux and Haute-Loire regions in France. In our country, it is mainly grown in Castilla y León and Catalonia and it has a balanced acidity. it produces elegant, dry winesIt has a balanced acidity.

• Verdejo

It is the main grape variety used in the production of Rueda A.O. wines.. It is characterised by producing very aromatic wines, with yellow and green colours and reminiscent of fresh fruit and citrus fruits.

• Xareló

This grape is native to Catalonia and is widely used in the production of cavas together with Parellada and Macabeo. It produces wines with high alcohol content, notable acidity and citrus and apple aromas.

In case you didn't know, there are wines that are made from different grape varieties, which gives rise to a unique flavour. Proof of this can be found in wines such as:

-Vivanco Reserva: made from Tempranillo (90%) and Graciano (10%) grapes.

- –Vivanco Viura-Tempranillo Blanco- Maturana Blancamade from the varieties Viura (50%); Tempranillo Blanco (35%) and Maturana Blanca (15%).

- –Vivanco Tempranillo Garnachamade from Tempranillo (85%) and Garnacha (15%).

- –Collection Vivanco 4 Varietals: made from Tempranillo (70%), Graciano (15%), Garnacha (10%) and Mazuelo (5%).

- –Collection Vivanco 4 Varietals Winter Sweetnessmade from Tempranillo (50%), Graciano (20%), Garnacha (20%) and Mazuelo (10%).

These are just some of the most representative varieties of all those grown in Spain. It would be almost impossible to mention them all, but now we know a little better the varieties of red and white grapes grown in our country, their main characteristics, their places of origin and the type of wines made from them.